“We also worked closely together on Baptist Health Lexington’s new development in the Hamburg area, and his desire to better serve our community.”
—Mayor Linda Gorton on the recent death of Baptist Health president, Bill Sisson
In MEMORY: Baptist Health President Bill Sisson
Mayor Linda Gorton writes, I am sad to hear our community has lost Baptist Health Lexington President Bill Sisson. He was a great advocate and partner for Lexington, making important contributions to the healthcare of our citizens.
He was integral in our City’s fight against COVID-19, making sure Baptist Health Lexington was working together with other healthcare providers to make sure we were doing our best to battle the virus.
We also worked closely together on Baptist Health Lexington’s new development in the Hamburg area, and his desire to better serve our community.
We will keep his family, friends, and the Baptist Health Lexington team in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Flu Season in Full Swing
You can get your free flu shot by same-day appointment every Monday, Wednesday or Friday in Lexington Fayette Health Department’s Public Health Clinic, 650 Newtown Pike, by calling 859-288-2483.
Lab-confirmed cases only reflect a small percentage of flu cases actually in Lexington. Many providers use rapid testing, which is not required to be reported to state/local health departments.
The flu will continue to spread throughout the winter.
City Seeks Input from Community on Healthy Food Access
Mayor Linda Gorton is asking Lexington residents to share their thoughts and ideas on the accessibility of affordable, healthy food throughout the city.
“As a nurse, I know just how important a healthy diet is,” Gorton said. “Too many of our residents face food access barriers, and my team and I are trying to make food — particularly healthy food —more accessible and affordable for our most vulnerable residents.”
Following a recommendation made in late 2020 by the Commission for Racial Justice and Equality, the City has placed more emphasis on improving food access and healthy food options.
“We are working our way through each recommendation made by the Commission for Racial Justice and Equality,” Gorton said. “The Health Disparities Subcommittee identified food access as an area of needed improvement for our city. We want to hear from community members on ways we can make food more accessible, and how we can encourage folks to eat healthier.”
Residents can share their opinions in two ways – by participating in one of five focus groups, and by completing an online survey. Residents are welcome to attend any of the five in-person focus group meetings listed below. All participants will be required to wear a face mask for in-person meetings.
Black & Williams Neighborhood Center, 498 Georgetown Street, at 5:30 p.m. on February 15
Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 300 East Third Street, at 5:30 p.m. on February 22
Virtual Zoom Meeting at Noon on March 8. Zoom link will be made available at a later date.
As the new City’s Equity and Implementation Officer, Tiffany Brown is implementing the recommendations made by the Commission. “Food insecurity is a challenge that Lexington is facing head on,” she said. “We need input from the community on how to make nutritious food more accessible in our neighborhoods.”
This article also appears on pages 12-13 of the February 2022 print edition of Hamburg Journal.
For more Lexington, KY, Hamburg area news, subscribe to the Hamburg Journal digital newsletter.
To advertise in Hamburg Journal, call 859.268.0945
